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According to a Europol report this week, 10,000 unaccompanied minors have disappeared in Europe without a trace. Several media have turned to Terre des hommes to explain the phenomenon.
Terre des hommes (Tdh) is recognised as an expert in the field of child migration and published a major report on the issue in 2008. The report recommended numerous changes to improve the situation of unaccompanied migrant children but little or nothing has been done.
In a phone interview for Radio Vatican, Sendrine Constant, responsible for Tdh’s programmes in Eastern Europe, points out the gaps in the child protection systems in Europe (French content).
Marc Kempe, head of communication at Tdh, reminds listeners that the phenomenon isn’t new and that the NGO has repeatedly advocated for the rights of migrant children. Listen to his interview on Deutschland Radio Kultur (German content).
250,000 children have reached Europe in 2015
A large number come with their families, however many of them travel alone or are separated from their parents during the precarious journey.
Macedonia, where Tdh is present, registered over 17,971 unaccompanied and separated children crossing the border with Greece between mid-June and late December 2015.
Unaccompanied migrant children are extremely vulnerable and become easy targets for smugglers and human traffickers.
The work of Tdh
Since the beginning of the refugee crisis in Europe, Tdh has been active along the main migration paths. In Macedonia and Serbia, our teams provide much-needed help to refugee children and their families, including psychological first aid to mothers and children, the distribution of winter and hygienic items, and recreational activities for children.
Tdh is also part of a coalition of NGOs working on a project called “Destination Unknown”, a group of more than 40 NGOs who protect children on the move.
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